Elise Higgins

Elise is a Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies PhD candidate in her fourth year in the program; her area of concentration is Public Affairs and Administration. Their dissertation research focuses on the political creation and ramifications of abortion stigma in Kansas. Elise's other research interests fall under the umbrella of reproductive justice, a framework invented by Black women in 1994 that calls for the right not to have a child, the right to have a child, and the right to parent children in a safe and healthy environment. Among other courses, Elise is currently teaching WGSS 640: Politics of Reproductive Policy. Elise has a professional background in state and national level organizing, legislative, and electoral work for reproductive rights and justice.